“It is more like a parlor trick,” the “Shameless” star admits. “It ain’t acting.”

“As a matter of fact, one of the dangers in playing Frank Gallagher is that I walk away congratulating myself on being a great drunk — but I forgot to do the scene.”

Did playing this character change your own drinking habits?

A: What a great question! I haven’t been drinking recently. So, I guess no.

As fun as it is to play Frank as a boozer, do you root for him to get sober?

A: Yeah. I am his biggest supporter. I love the guy. I think he is smart. I think he tells the truth when nobody else has the guts to. He is very hardworking. He is an entrepreneur. And he is living his life absolutely his way. I am hoping we are going to do this show for many, many years. So I think there is room for many permutations of what Frank does. But yeah. I would love to see a couple of episodes where Frank is sober. But I think it is in the DNA of the show that Frank will always be loaded.

Frank has already had such an incredible journey. What’s next?

A: There is a lot of great comedy in this season. I think at the core, the thing that makes the Gallagher family so appealing is that it is a family, and blood is thicker than anything. You can burn down the house. You can steal the car. You can take a job away. But if you try to split up the family, you will see ferocity like you have never seen before. And that is exactly what happens. I finally have to pay the piper for years of self-abuse.

Is it nice not to have to walk around with long hair anymore?

A: I sort of dig it. It is nice to change your appearance once in a while. This was drastic. But yeah, I am trying to look dangerous these days.

Do you ever run into the other Bill Macy, Maude’s husband?

A: Yes. I met Bill Macy. Lovely actor. Rest in peace. He was great on “Maude.”

He is still alive!

A: I thought Bill passed away. [Laughs.] If you are still alive, Bill, please forgive me. I can’t wait to work together.